Smaller rural pubs can be good locations for quizzes. The ‘locals’ are often so excited at the prospect of a rare influx of ‘outsiders’ that they decide to get involved too, leading to that rarest of things, 100% involvement.

However, there are drawbacks. Firstly, the bar itself might not be a great shape for a quiz. Secondly, the ‘outsiders’ are both loved and hated – loved for coming along and swelling the numbers, hated for their potential to walk away with some prizes. The fear of someone strange pocketing the first place winnings invariably leads to ‘local’ questions. It can all get a bit Royston Vasey.

Last night my new quizzing scene contact, Ger, invited me along to a fund-raising quiz for the Claremorris Golf Club, in Killeens’ Pub. This night out exhibited all of the above features!

In fact, it exceeded them. The quiz itself didn’t kick-off until 10pm. It was scheduled for 9.30pm but, of course, one has to factor in ‘Irish Time’! Why had it been scheduled for 9.30pm? So that everyone could watch the Munster v Perpignan rugby match on the bar’s sole television.